Cooling The Embers

[firesoul-lol.livejournal.com]

After the meeting, Rei had disappeared from the area and headed for the Sensoriums she'd heard about. There, at least, she should be able to find a quiet spot to sort through the brand new turmoil in her mind.

To her surprise, her memory immediately drifts to a familiar-looking gate, which materializes in front of her---a torii, beckoning her to a sacred sanctuary. Simply passing under the gate lessens the burden on her mind, as the comfort of the gods' house surrounds her. For now, she'll gladly take the opportunity to re-ground herself in a familiar setting before the greater hardships begin.

If any podmates happen to pass by the small structure, they'll see Rei seated on the edge of the open courtyard just beyond the gate. The peaceful atmosphere is refuge enough for her, a small escape from the uncertainty beyond.

Comments

[firesoul-lol.livejournal.com]

"Rei Hino, though I'm called Sailor Mars on the battlefield."

And speaking of battlefields...

"Are you a warrior too?" She's guessing at the answer already, based on the sense of strength his aura gives off. But it can't hurt to ask---they're all in this war together, and you need to know your friends as well as your enemies.

[found-myway.livejournal.com]

"I am. The Fire Nation is a military country, and my people are proud warriors." Except for the ones that are bakers. But even they can probably still lay people out with a breadboard.

Zuko holds out his hand, and a small cluster of flames blossoms over his palm. "Firebending is the art of my country. Regular soldiers outnumber benders, but there are still many soldiers who have been touched by the spirits of fire."

He closes his hand, and the flames dissolve into the air. "Is this your power as well?"

[firesoul-lol.livejournal.com]

"Sounds familiar."

She'd already demonstrated this at the meeting, but she couldn't remember seeing Zuko there, so she stands and pulls a small pen-like object from her pocket.

"Mars Power, Make Up!" Yes, Zuko, she just disappeared in a flame pillar from nowhere. But not to worry---a second later she's back and clad in a rather revealing sailor uniform. She flicks her wrist and does the same.

"Yes." Not that she needed to say it, really. The fireball speaks for itself.

[found-myway.livejournal.com]

See this face, Rei? This is Zuko's nobody dresses that way what the hell that is a lot of leg if I look too hard my girlfriend will stab me face.

"I . . ." he gutters for a little bit. That's her underwear, right? Where's the rest of her outfit. "Have never . . . known anyone who . . . fought in. That."

[firesoul-lol.livejournal.com]

There's a small part of Rei that takes pride in that reaction---and if she'd been in her element and flirting with Mamoru-san, maybe she'd tease a little. But right here, right now? Not an appropriate time for games.

She quickly reverts to everyone's favorite plant-suit clothing line and folds her arms over her chest. "Trust me, I'd kill for a more practical outfit, but I can't control that part of my powers. The designer must've had some weird kinks."

[found-myway.livejournal.com]

"It would be appropriate for an Agni Kai," Zuko amends. It would be, but only sort of. "Mostly, our soldiers wear lacquered armor and silk."

He lets the awkward fade a bit before adding, "If you'd like someone to spar with, I don't know any other firebenders on the ship, and I was hoping not to fall too out of practice."

[firesoul-lol.livejournal.com]

"Those are definitely smarter choices---and I bet they look good too." She glosses over the awkwardness with a small smirk, slowly returning to her normal confidence. How neat it would be to meet the Fire Nation soldiers.

Hey, training's a good idea to her. She's just as hard on herself as she ever was on Usagi, and being able to fight will probably be more important than ever here. "I'd be up for it. Would we program a sparring area here, or is there somewhere else on the ship you've practiced?"